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By Robert Balajadia
The streaking JFK Islanders pulled off another clutch victory over the FD Friars Tuesday night, 63-56, at the FD Phoenix Center to extend their winning streak to seven games, the highest win streak by any team this season.
The Islanders were hanging on to a 53-50 lead with under a minute left when JFK’s Kurtis Silva stripped Friars’ Bruce Merrill on his way to the basket and dished the ball off to a streaking Billy Belger who fought through contact from Friars’ Javier Dimla while drawing the foul and making the shot. Belger hit the free throw to extend the lead 56-50 which ultimately put the Frairs away.
Silva was motivated on defense after Merrill hit three three-pointers in the first quarter followed by a brief exchange of words regarding Silva’s defense.
“Yeah, it did motivate me a little, but whatever happens on the court stays on the court. I’m always trying to play my best defense,” said the humble Silva.
Silva then blocked Merrill’s layup attempt that led to another fast break layup for the Islanders to go up 60-50 in the closing seconds. Silva finished with a game high 20 points while Belger finished with 14. Merrill led the Friars with 16 points.
JFK got off to a hot start early by going up 14-4 after a pair of three pointers from Silva. The Islanders were crashing the offensive boards also scoring eight second chance points in the first quarter. The Friars fought back and cut the lead 22-16 after streaky shooting from Merrill.
FD took the lead in the second quarter, 25-23 off free throws from Tyler Okiyama. Silva then forced Merrill into back-to-back turnovers that led to a Silva three-pointer to give the Islanders back the lead 30-29, a lead they would hold on to throughout the game.

Islanders’ Aljurrell Grape trying to take advantage of an open lane for a layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)
Both teams traded baskets early in the third quarter until the Islanders closed out the third on a 10-2 run to go up 51-41 sparked by Aljurrell Grape off the bench. Grape hit teammate Wayne Jesus under the basket with a no-look pass and then sliced through the Friar defense on a fast break layup a play later.
Nic Aglubat ignited the Friar offense midway through the fourth quarter by scoring four-straight points to trim the once double digit lead to just two possessions, 53-49, with two-minutes left in the game.
Silva then delivered the clutch defensive performance on Merrill while hitting crucial free throws down the stretch to secure the Islander win.
With another clutch victory down the stretch, Silva explained how his team is getting done.
“We’re just working as a team and we’re trusting each other. Everybody can all handle the ball and shoot free throws. We owe it all to God and to coach (Rey Serafico) for helping through these wins,” said Silva.
The Islanders improve to 8-1 while the Friars drop to 5-3, snapping a three-game winning streak.
Other Scores
Okkodo 73, Guam High 67 – (OKH) Ben Borja 16 pts. 8 blks. 13 reb., (OKH) Verne Gustilo 13 pts. 7 ast.
Southern 51, Sanchez 47 – (SHS) Dom Afaisen 17 pts., (SSHS) John Buan 12 pts.
GW 73, St. John’s 50
St. Paul 66, ND 36


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Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- SU
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 1
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
27th
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Running/Track
FBLG, BMS CONQUER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND

Volleyball
ROSARIO: BOYS VOLLEYBALL MVP

Baseball
NINETE, JR. WINS 2022 BASEBALL MVP

Running/Track
PANTHERS SWEEP ALL-ISLAND TRACK & FIELD MEET

Volleyball
ROSARIO: BOYS VOLLEYBALL MVP
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG & ISA Championships
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan